State architect job under review

Tasmania's first state architect has resigned and is calling for the Government to employ a Tasmanian as his successor.

Peter Poulet was appointed to the role in 2009 and has decided to move back to Sydney to be closer to his family.

He says the Government should consider employing a Tasmanian this time but the State Government says Mr Poulet's job will not be advertised yet as the position is under review.

"There are very good local people who could do the job admirably," Mr Polulet said.

"In fact, in many ways because my job was to really establish the position, establish its credentials, a local person who knows the lay of the land who understands the nuances of doing business in Tasmania could hit the ground running and not have to spend that time as I did understanding the place."

The Tasmanian Opposition wants the role abolished and says now is the perfect time.

Opposition spokesman, Jeremy Rockliff, says it would be scrapped under the Liberals' alternative budget.

"'There's no better time to abolish this position. It's a luxury that the State Government can no longer afford. This is not an essential service. Essential services are particularly those social services at the frontline of our health system and our education system and the police force."

Mr Poulet says he is proud of his achievements, including a master plan for Sullivans Cove and a public housing strategy to make homes more energy efficient.

"I feel as though I've broken the back of the job so to speak."

"I've instilled an understanding in the community here that good urban design and good architecture and sustainable architecture is worthwhile and worth pursuing."

Free trade is the oldest argument in federal politics and the issue that literally defined the federation era but opposition exists to the TPP, courtesy of the Investor-State Dispute Resolutions clause.